• Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Experts urge women to leverage tech for career growth

Experts urge women to leverage tech for career growth

ICT experts have called on women across Nigeria to leverage technology to grow their career paths. Speaking during the celebration of International Girls in ICT Day, Abigail Iyabode Sholanke, who represented the CEO of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), at the event, said, “This is a medium to inspire young girls as well as educate them on the vital role of women in ICT.

“Indeed, your gender should never be a limitation for you but rather an asset. This is even truer of women who are natural leaders, planners, administrators, and strategic thinkers. That is why in the modern world we have great women doing great things.”

She said further, “As young ladies gathered here today, I wish to categorically inform and educate you that your capacity in the digital space, and indeed in anything you wish to do in this world is determined by your own drive, your ambition, your hard work, determination, tenacity, intellect, study, analytical thinking, personal self-confidence and poise, and your strive for excellence.”

According to Habeebat Umeike, data analyst, SystemSpecs, during her speech, ICT is fast changing to include more potentials to transform industries and economies. “ICT is revolving, things that were inconceivable even a year ago are now being done. The remarkable thing is that, it is being done by women,” Umeike said.

In her address to the students, Umeike said, “One of the underlying secret to attaining excellence in ICT as a woman is passion and interest.  You need to be passionate about ICT.  You need to train yourself and be better at what you do.  Get mentors to encourage you. Mentors that will relate their challenges and tell you, and tell you how they overcame. Whenever you are being corrected or criticised take it positively. Whenever you are being praised, do not let it get into your head either.”

Families mindset about gender should be scrutinised, she said, saying, “The female child should never be treated as inferior to the boy child.  Parents should give their girl child the same opportunity as they would give the male child.  Always regard their interest. Allow them to face the career they choose. Never make choices for them. Only guide them in their choices.”
She further advised the girls never to let anyone talk them out of their dreams.

She called on the government to sponsor some ICT related courses for students. “In Nigeria, we have not completely attained international standard yet. But I believe the government is working in that direction.  The government can be of help by sponsoring some programmes like this one. Delegates from top organizations can come down and empower the girls in ICT related programmes.”

The Girls in ICT day event organised by eBusiness Life was well attended by primary and secondary school students who were well informed about the importance of ICT, Cyber crimes, and how to avoid Cyberbullying as well as how to engage positively with social media platforms.